Opal card rorters taking Sydney for a free ride

Commuters are helping themselves to free travel on Sydney’s public transport thanks to a loophole in the Opal system.

A 9NEWS special investigation has captured footage of passengers boarding and departing train stations and ferry wharves across the city without tapping on or off Opal card readers.

Although stations and wharves near the CBD have turnstiles to prevent fare evasion including Central, Town Hall and Circular Quay, many stops in suburban areas have only Opal readers on poles at entrances and exits for passengers to pay for their trips.

A commuter at Gordon station in Sydney's north shore is seen dodging the Opal card reader. (9NEWS) (Nine)

Larger train stations in suburban areas of the network also have turnstiles or barriers.

The system relies on honesty as the risk of being caught by ticket inspectors checking Opal cards for commuters travelling between stations without barriers is slim.

Compliance figures recorded by Transport for NSW last year reveal about five percent of ferry passengers, six percent of train passengers, seven percent of bus passengers and 9.5 percent of light rail passengers travel without paying the correct fare,.

A commuter at Carlingford was caught not tapping his Opal card. (9NEWS) (Nine)

This includes commuters not having a ticket, not tapping on, fraudulently riding on a concession card and travelling beyond the distance paid for.